Collections : [Rare Book & Manuscript Library]

Printed music from the 18th-20th centuries, primarily 19th century American. Almost half the items are popular editions of European composers' instrumental music. The collection contains a large quantity of patriotic music such as the 1798 "Adams and Liberty" and the first and third editions (both 1798) of "Hail Columbia" and a comprehensive collection of music from the Civil War. There are also early printings of "The Star Spangled Banner," first and later editions of Stephen Foster's music, and a large collection of Benjamin Carr materials. Collection of 16th-20th century rare music books was cataloged individually. Primarily collected by Arthur Billings Hunt, 1890-1971, baritone, musical director and broadcaster. Most of the items are of American origin, and reflect Hunt's wide-ranging interests in sacred and secular music.

Manuscripts and lectures notes. The lecture notes are filed in 127 volumes arranged by subject. Professor Barry's interest in music is represented by the holograph manuscript of a voluminous musical composition"The Alcayde" composed in the late 1890s.

The Zarzuela Collection at Columbia University consists of almost five hundred different zarzuelas. Both nineteenth and twentieth century works are represented by libretti, scores, and separate instrumental parts. Formats include printed, typewritten, and handwritten items. Many of the libretti contain role assignments and other handwritten notes which indicate they were used by a traveling zarzuela company. Among the authors of the libretti are Javer de Bergos y Sarragoiti, Jose Estremero y Cuenca, Jacinto Benavente, and the Quintero brothers.

The archive, totaling approximately 4 linear feet, comprises material ranging from scrapbooks, photographs, and correspondence, to books, theatrical scripts, and sheet music, all reflecting Emily Gresser's life in music both in the United States and abroad from the late 1890s to the 1960s, with the majority centered on her professional performing career of 1910-1919.